White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer in Ontario are larger than most of their counterparts in the US in order to weather the chilly climate, so antler size is comparably vast. While most white-tailed bucks average 140 to 250 pounds (63 to 114 k), Ontario bucks can top 300 pounds (136 kg).

You can track or drive white-tailed deer through farm country or through big forest. Farm-country hunters concentrate on woodlots and creek bottoms near agricultural fields.

Most hunt from tree stands or ground blinds near trails, rubs, scrapes, feeding areas, or by using drives to push deer to waiting stands. Big-woods hunters use these same techniques in deer funnels and logging cuts, but also incorporate still-hunting and tracking.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Ontario’s deer herds are managed through a selective harvest system.

During the gun season, opportunities to hunt antlerless (does and fawns) white-tailed deer are regulated, while buck hunting remains open. At other times, the overall number of white-tailed deer tags available to hunters will vary, depending on the carefully monitored population levels.

There is no open season for hunting caribou in the province. Elk hunting is only by draw for tags.

As with any game in Ontario, you should be aware of the seasons and hunting licences required.

Hunters orange must be worn during open gun seasons for both white-tailed deer and moose.